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Nia with Beth Giles - Newsletter for July 24th, 2015
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Dance Your Trillions of Cells

I love to visit my neighborhood library. This week I was browsing and came across a book title, The Secrets of Your Cells by Sondra Barrett, PhD.  Dr. Barrett is biochemist and speaker who bridges the fields of science, art and the practice of mind-body medicine. During her years of study as a scientist she awakened to the sacred nature of our cells and that this inner universe has valuable wisdom for transformation, healing and relationships. The image above shows a cell's cytoskeleton. The chapter of the book that has intrigued me the most so far is entitled, The Fabric of Life- Choose

Dr. Barrrett discusses the architectural design of the cell as having tensegrity. A term coined by Buckminster Fuller to describe situations in which push and pull have a win-win relationship. He used it to build his famous geodesic domes. The cytoskeleton, likened to the cell's muscles and bones, is the scaffolding that connects all parts of the cell. Some scientists contend that the cytoskeleton of the cell is its mastermind. Here's a video with Dr. Barrett talking about her workshop, Cells and the Sacred.

So how does all this relate to our dancing and practice of Nia? Like a cell's cytoskeleton our practice of moving in Nia invites our bodies to sense the push/pull of relaxing and tensing muscles, just like the very movements our microscopic cells naturally undergo. Dr. Barrett writes:
Consider that the property of tensegrity within our cells may provide a new explanation for why staying physically active prolongs life; it alters our mood and energy. It expands our potential for pleasure, well-being and peace. Movement can change our lives.


Well said! Movement can change your life. And we know that the movement in Nia is about the joy and pleasure of being in the NOW, our cells are always in the now. Through movement we find health!

Dr. Barrett uses the movement practice of Qi Gong in her book as an example of movement that engages your cells and changes your energy. Here's a video of Lee Holden giving you an example of a 10 minute Qi Gong practice for the morning or anytime you need a energy wash or boost. 

This week in class we will focus on the 9 movement forms and energies of Nia, from Principle 2 of the Nia White Belt--the three martial arts, three dance arts and three healing arts. Our intention will be to add energy and variety to our practice and at the same time explore all the diverse aspects of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual selves. Plus we'll give our trillion cells a chance to dance!

See you in class!

Like Have You Danced Your Cytoskeletons Today? on Facebook
Studio Locations and Addresses:

Center for Performing Arts, (CFPA) 3754 Pleasant Av., Minneapolis 
  • Single Class: $15*
  • Step In -- 5 classes $67 (expires 8 weeks from date of purchase)
  • Joyful Mover – 10 classes $127 (expires 12 weeks from date of purchase)
  • Express Yourself – Unlimited one month pass $87 (30 days from purchase)
  • Nia Rock Star – 12 month package, billed monthly, $77 per month, unlimited classes (can be cancelled in writing with 30 days notice)
*First class free for students who are new to Nia - only at Center for Performing Arts
**Please note that these class prices and packages are only for use at Center for Performing Arts. Class packages are non-refundable and must be used within the designated time span.
 
A note about parking at Center for Performing Arts on Sundays: The parking on the street in front of the building is limited on Sundays. There are a few parking spots behind the Center for Performing Arts Building. Please allow extra time to arrive on Sundays to find parking. Thank you!

Keewaydin Recreation Center, 3030 53rd St. E., Mpls. Register online: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/, Registration for the next session that starts September 9 is open the last week of July.

Downtown YWCA, 1130 Nicollet Ave., Mpls, a YWCA membership is needed, but you can come as my guest, message me to let me know you'd like to come.

Tula Yoga and Wellness, 99 Snelling Ave., St. Paul, suggested class donation, $10-$15 dollars, class packages are available for purchase through Tula

The Marsh, 15000 Minnetonka Blvd., The Marsh is open to the public, $15 to drop-in to the Nia class or class packages are available. 

Big River Yoga3336 East 25th Street, Minneapolis, $18 to drop in. New member, one month class pass, $40 for unlimited yoga classes and Nia on Tuesdays at 4:30 pm. More information at Big River Yoga's website.

Saturday, August 1, subbing for Danny Haag, 8:45 am
Jawaahir Dance Studio in Patrick’s Cabaret, 
3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, $10 to drop-in, $30/4-class package, $50/8-class package. Free parking, handicapped accessible, gender-neutral bathrooms.

 

Let's Dance Outside!
Saturday, August 8 at 11 am

Everyone is invited to a FREE 1/2 hour Nia sample class with me on Saturday, August 8 at 11 am. The class will take place at the Piazza on the Mall, near the corner of 12th and Nicollet Ave. in downtown Minneapolis, next to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Some parking will be available in Westminster's parking lot.

At 10 am that morning, Yess Yoga offers a free yoga class with Elisabeth Pletcher-Harincar. I'm going to attend the yoga class and then we'll dance Nia after a yoga warm-up. Bring a friend, bring water and a yoga mat! There will be a prize drawing for some free classes with me and a Nia Music CD. 

Shoes are optional. The deck surface is smooth and relatively new, but if you prefer shoes, please bring them. 

Only one more week to get in on this great sale!
Nia Intensive Training Sale Ends July 31st.
Now is your time!

Nia White Belt Intensive in Minnesota
September 18-20 and 25-27
 

We had such a great experience with the White Belt in April, Barb Wesson has been invited back to Studio Timeout to offer another training. Two three-day weekends of dancing, learning about the physical art of sensation, diving deeper into the wellspring of Nia! Barb Wesson, Nia Trainer from Wisconsin, is a fabulous trainer and teacher. The White Belt is the entry point to teaching Nia, but many people also take the training to create the life they always wanted. Imagine that! 
 
Registration is open now! Click here: Nia White Belt Intensive in Minnesota
The first half of the payment for the training is paid on the Nia website. The second half is paid directly to the trainer, Barb Wesson. Cost of the training is $1,599.00. ON SALE now through 5 pm PST on July 31st for $1,299.

The training will be held at the beautiful Studio TimeOut at 6001 Lyndale Ave in Minneapolis.


If you have questions about the training, please contact me at 612-802-9127 or email at bethgilesnia@gmail.com. For more information go to www.nianow.com or click on the link in the headline above.
 

July/August Class Package Special Offer for New Nia Students

$77 for 8 classes held at Center for Performing Arts*
3754 Pleasant Ave., Minneapolis
Sundays, 12:30 pm, Mondays, 6:15 pm, Fridays, 8:30 am (changing to 8:45 am starting on July 10.)
No class on Friday, July 3, Sunday, July 5 or Monday, July 6 

Add some Nia dancing and fitness to your summer activities. It's a great way to condition your body, find joy, relaxation and energy for all the other activities of summer. 

*This package is only for new students to Nia or students who have not attended a Nia class with Beth Giles in the past 4-8 weeks. This special eight class package must be used during the months of July and August. Expires August 31.

 
Cells Cells - Parts of the Cell Rap


Dance (and Learning) Break!


I couldn't resist this Cell Rap made for 6th graders.  It's clever and has a beat you can dance to. :-)

Want to learn more about Nia?

Several students have asked me about the music I play in class.  Almost all of it comes from NiaSounds.  Here's a link to checking out the CDs of music that Nia sells: https://nianow.com/nia-music. Each of the CDs has a preview option so you can hear the songs first. Enjoy!

For resources on learning the 52 Moves, you can click on this link.  
http://www.ehow.com/video_4949757_what-nia.html
Nia Black Belt Instructor Donna Starnes takes you through all 52 Moves in these eHow videos.

Another wonderful resource on the 52 Moves is the book, The Nia Technique, by Debbie and Carlos Rosas, founders of Nia.

Private Nia Sessions Available 

**Free 30 minute consultation for new Private Nia students**

Would you like to dive deeper into your Nia practice? Or maybe take more time to work on technique to help you get the most out of your Nia classes? I am taking new clients for private Nia sessions in my South Minneapolis home. Email me here for more information or to set up a session.
Ready to Feel Good in Your Body?
Come dive into the joy of movement! Nia is a unique combination of nine movement forms drawn from dance, martial arts and healing arts. We move our entire bodies in a healthful, sustainable way and become aware of sensations in our bodies. We dance and move in Nia to sense joy and pleasure, not pain. Nia is for all fitness abilities and all ages. Nia can be an intense aerobic workout or more easy and gentle depending the level of intensity you bring to the movement. 

Dress in comfortable clothes, we dance in bare feet, but shoes are optional. Bring a water bottle. Bring a yoga mat if you like that for the floor play part of class.

If you have any questions about Nia or the classes/events listed here, please send me an e-mail or give me a call, 612-802-9127.
 
Yours in the dance of life,
Beth
 
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